Lapping device.



F. E. BRIGHT.

LAPPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23. I914.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Inventor UNITED sTATEs PATENT orrron.

FRED E. BRIGHT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE HESS- BRIGHT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

LAPPING Application filed April 23,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Flinn E. BRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphiaand State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lapping Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The object of this invention is to produce a lapping device adapted more particularly for smoothing the ball grooves in the casing members of antifriction bearings.

In antifriction bearings there is a groove in the outer side of the inner casing member, and a groove in the inner side of the outer casing member, which grooves constitute a raceway in which the balls travel. In polishing or lapping such grooves, it is desirable that the lapping device approximate the form and shape of the same, the lap for the groove in the inner casing member being curved inwardly circumferentially and outwardly in a transverse direction, and the lap for the outer casing member being curved outwardly circumferentially and also in a transverse direction. It is further desirable in the use of laps of such forms, to impart to the same a slight rocking or rotating movement in a direction transversely of the groove in order that all portions of the surface of the groove may be subjected to a lapping action. If the lapping device follows the circumferential curvature of the groove and conforms also to its transverse curvature, it will be held by the groove against transverse rotation or rock.

It is the aim of my invention therefore to provide a lapping device which, while approximating the form and contour of the ball groove both circumferentially and transversely, will at the same time be capable of being rocked or rotated in a transverse direction, and my invention consists in combining with a suitable holder, a lapping element mounted thereon, the said parts being so formed relatively that the holder will be capable of a movement relatively to the lap ping element in a transverse direction, the result being that with the lapping element entered in the groove to be smoothed, the holder may be rocked transversely relatively to thelapping element, and owing to its connection with the holder, the lapping element Specification of Letters Patent.

nnvicn.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

1914. Serial No. 833,886.

will be given a slight oscillating or rotating movement within the groove.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the lapping element is circular in crosssection so as to approximately conform to the transverse curvature of the groove, and it is seated in a groove extending circumferentially of the holder, which groove is contracted at its ends to receive and firmly hold the ends of the lapping element, the widened portion of the groove between its ends, permitting of a limited movement of the lapping element between its ends relatively to the holder. It .willbe manifest however, that the invention is susceptible of modifications and changes in its detailed form, such as would suggest themselves to the skilled mechanic; and it will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular form or construction of the parts except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of'my improved lapping device of a form suitable for smoothing the groove in the outer casing member of a hearing. Fig; 2 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an end perspective view of thesame.

Figs. t and'5 are cross-sections taken on the lines H and 55 respectively of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of my improved de vice in a form suitable for lapping the groove in the inner casing member of a hearing. Fig. 7 is an edge view of the same. Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sections on the lines 8-8 and 9-9 respectively of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings: Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, my improved lapping device consists, in the particular embodiment of the invention shown, of a holder in the form of a block 1 on which is mounted a lapping element 2. The holder 1 is segmental in form so as to conform to the inner circumferential curvature of the outer casing memberof the bearing, and in the segmental edge of the holder, an open extent relatively to the holder transversely between the walls of the widened portion of the groove, As a convenient means for securing the ends of the spring in the contracted portions of the groove 8, end plates 5 are secured to the ends of the block 1, which plates are provided with pins 6 extending a short distance within the coils at the opposite ends of the spring. It is manifest however that other means may be employed for this purpose, the requirement in this respect being that the ends of the lapping element be firmly confined in the contracted end portions of the roove.

In the use of the device described, the casing member of the bearing, being rotated by suitable means, and the lapping element being supplied with a suitable abrasive material, the lapping device is applied to the casing member with the lapping element entered in the groove therein. vVhen so applied the holder is roclred back and forth in a transverse direction, this rocking action causing the holder to be shifted slightly relatively to the intermediate free portion of the lapping element, which latter will, by reason of the connection of its ends with the holder, be oscillated against the face of the groove in the casing member, about the central longitudinal axis of the lapping element. The effect therefore is to oscillate the exposed active surface of the lapping element, in Contact with the surface of the groove in the casing member, while the latter is being rotated circumferentially, the result being that the abrasive material will be spread and distributed laterally of the groove, and the particles of material prevented from being held in a fixed position, where, in the relative rotary motion of the casing member, they would form circumferentially extending scratches and cuts in the face of the groove. All irregular and rough places will therefore be smoothed down, and the surface of the groove will'be given an accurate and smooth finish. e

The construction of the lapping element in the form of a helical spring as shown and described, produces a lapping element of a flexible character, which particularly adapts it for the special conditions of use described, and it insures a uniform and effective smoothing action over the entire transverse extent of the ball groove. It is manifest, however, that the lapping element may be of other forms, provided that in operation, it will act substantially as described above.

The constructionshown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive embodies the same underlying features and principles of that described above, the only difference being that the lapping device in this instance is adapted for smoothing the outer groove in the inner casing member of the bearing. Consequently the block or holder 1 has its edge curved inwardly instead of outwardly, the lapping element 2 being seated in a groove in the curvec face of the block, which groove is contracted at its ends, as at 4, similar to the construction previously described. The lapping element has its ends mounted in the contracted ends of the groove, and is held and secured therein by means of plates 5 on the ends of the block, provided with lips =3 against which the end coils of the lapping element bear.

In the use of the device, it is applied to the outer surface of the inner casing member of the bearing, with the lapping element entered in the groove therein, and the holder being rocked transversely, the lapping element will be caused to oscillate in contact with the face of the groove as in the first instance described, and will effectually smooth the same uniformly throughout its area.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A lapping device adapted to act on circumferentially extending grooves, said lapping device comprising a holder, and a flexible lapping element mounted thereon and curved to extend in the groove, the lapping element being secured at one point to the holder so that in the lateral rocking motions of the holder, the lapping element will be oscillated transversely, and said lappingelement being free at another point to enable the holder to be rocked laterally relatively thereto.

2. A lapping device comprising a holder provided with a curved supporting portion, and a curved flexible lapping element applied to said supporting portion and secured at its ends to the holder, and being free between its ends; whereby the holder maybe rocked transversely relatively to the free portion of the lapping element, and in such movements will oscillate the lapping element.

3. A lapping device comprising a holder 7 having a segmental edge, and a lapping eleinent mounted on the holder and extending circumferentially of said edge and movable laterally relatively to the holder.

4. A lapping device comprising a holder provided with a supporting surface curved circumferent ally, and a curved flexible lapping eleinent applied to said supporting surface, said lapping elemen t being secured at its ends to the holder, and being free between its ends to enable the holder to move laterallyrelatively to it, the said lapping element presenting an active surface. curved in a transverse direction.

5. A lapping device comprising a holder provided with an open circumferentially extending groove, a curved flexible lapping element seated in the groove and having its active surface exposed beyond the same, said lapping element being secured to the holder at its ends, and being free between its ends to enable the holder to be moved laterally relatively to the same.

6. A lapping device comprising a holder provided with an open circumferential groove contracted at its ends, and a flexible curved lapping element seated in said groove with its ends confined in the contracted portions of the same; whereby the intermediate portion of the lapping element may move laterally relatively to the walls of the groove.

7. A lapping device comprising a holder, and a circumferentially extending flexible lapping element mounted on the holder, and movable laterally with reference to the same; whereby with the lapping element extending in the groove to be lapped, the holder may be rocked laterally to oscillate the lapping element.

8. A lapping device comprising a holder, and a circumferentially extending lapping element mounted thereon, said element being in the form of a helical spring secured at its ends to the holder, and being free between its ends; whereby the holder may be rocked laterally relatively to the lapping element and in such rocking movements will oscillate the same. g

9. A lapping device comprising a holder having a circumferentially extending edge, and a helical spring extending circumferentially along said edge and secured at its ends to the holder, the intermediate portion of said spring being free, whereby in the lateral rocking motion of the holder, it will shift relatively to the intermediate portion of the spring, and will oscillate the latter.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRED E. BRIGHT.

lVitnesses:

THEO. H. MCALLA, G. S. BUTLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

